It’s Labor Day weekend, and hundreds of thousands of Americans will be flocking to resort towns, which can be ideal locations for thrifting. That’s because resort communities often are populated with transplants from elsewhere who are eager to offload excess items.
One stellar example is Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home of All Saints’ Parish Thrift Shop, which has been recycling clothes, accessories and furniture for two decades, supporting more than 32 community nonprofits.
This sprawling four-room thrift shop sits inside one of the many small malls on both sides of the Coastal Highway that links the Delaware beaches. It’s open for shopping and for donations six days a week (no Sundays).
To save time for its sorters – and lots of money for bargain hunters– it has set prices for clothing so items do not have to be individually priced. All blazers are $6, and all blouses, pants, sweaters and jeans are just $4.
We found some pricier labels (Chico’s, L.L. Bean, Talbots) among the many Kohl and Target house brands that make up the majority of offerings on the racks. Several had their original tags.
Our friend snagged a new-with-tags Talbots sheer aqua linen shirt, with detailed pockets, for $4. She added a $1 white cami for modesty and had a great summer look for a total outlay of $5.
The thrift shop devotes two rooms to women’s, children’s and men’s clothing, with items neatly divided on racks clearly marked by category and size. Since inventory changes quickly because of the brisk trade coming in and out, shoppers can cruise the racks quickly.
One room is devoted to miscellaneous items – board games, rugs, sporting goods, and framed art work. Bicycles and even cheaper clothing that are sidewalk sale items greet you outside. Sun hats, beach towels and sweatshirts are fast sellers with the vacation crowd.
In addition to church outreach programs, the profits here support the Delaware Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Planned Parenthood, the Rehoboth Beach Fire Department and many other groups from libraries to an autism fund.
“We love All Saints’ because they will come pick up your furniture that you want to donate,” notes a longtime Dewey Beach, DE, summer resident. As is true for many nonprofit thrift stores, the haulers and store employees are charitably-minded volunteers. The parish also accepts cars, pickups and boats!
The operation contributes tens of thousands of dollars to community good works each year, while getting value out of clothing and furniture that have much worthwhile use remaining.
Shopping for finds here aids the parish mission of “helping make the love of God more widely known in our community and in the world.”
All Saints’ Parish Thrift Shop, Rehoboth Beach Plaza, 20673 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
301/226-3123 www.rehoboththriftshop.org Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Closed Sunday.
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